Charring device



March 26', 1940.

B. KLAUSNER QHARRING DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Illn- BEN AasA/ER /4 r rap/vs y March 26, 1940. B, KLAUSNER y 2,195,112

cHARnIuc- DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1939' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l//vcHAR/PA'D AREA CHA/Pesa AREA Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED [STATES PATENT-)OFFICE This invention relatesA to charring devices 'and particularly to the means employed yinflring and charring vvhisk'yrbarrelsl andfsimilar casks.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this V 5 invention, it may be'well to 'pointy out that certain alcoholicy liquors `such as Whisky* and other spirituous beverages are requiredto be matured in new charcoal lined casks for certain lengths of time. In the United States, for example, the Fedorder to properly` cleanse and purify the liquid. Charcoal has the property of absorbing vthe undesirable fusel generally'found in `fresh Whisky and it also prevents thef'tannic acid of the oak vstave from taintingy or otherwise affecting the liquor.

It is particularly desirable to have a char that is uniform throughout the entire interior of the barrel; not thick enough to weaken the staves or brittle enough to forni ash or carbon sediment. The most desirable kind of char' is referred to by the trade as a block-char because of the gen-v veral rectangular deep-brown. crystal like charcoal formations which are comparatively soft, somewhat resilient and which are approximately one-sixteenth of an inch thick. 'A l A char of this type is best produced by burning Wood inside the barrel, and the lshavings and scraps obtained from the shaping of thestaves and heads not only forms an ideal fuel forv the purpose but is alsofthe most economical.

Heretofore it has been the practice in charring Whisky barrels in' quantity andv speedi1y, tol use a .gas flame or a torch directly against the inside ofthe barrel.V `IIowever, it has been found that same of the inflammable gases are absorbedby the raw Wood before combustion takes `place and are then subsequently burntinside the Ipores of the Wood. Such combustion lacks sufficient 'oxylgen and the smoldering produces a black friable char Which is brittle and easily shaken from the Wood. f

It is therefore a general object yof this inventiony to provide a device Which'will wood ychar the in-` side. of Wood casks uniformly, speedily and economically. l

' Another object is to provide amechanism which 50 automatically fuels, ignites, shields, burns and cools cask members during a charring process. v

trol ;devices which. will facilitate andexpedite:

vention will become -apparent lfrom Ya reading of eral laws demand that potable whisky be stored 'in charred barrelsfor as muchas'fou'r years in the uniform charring of Wood casks under'vvaried atmospheric and climatic conditions. y 1,

These and other objects and features ofthe inthe following description and claims together 'Wi-th' 'the accompanying drawingsin which like parts are'designated by like referencecharacters and wherein: y f l Figure 1 is a schematic View of a device embodyingthis invention; Y u u 10 Figure 2l isa verticalendview of the same de vice taken'along the lines and in thedirection of the arrows 2-2 ofthe-Figurel; y l

Figure -3 is a vertical sectional view of the device taken along the 'lines and in the direction of 15 'the "arrows 3 3 -of the Figure 1;

Figure 4is a sideelevation of the fuel feeding mechanismvfwith parts of the hopper `broken Aaway to show interior construction. The View is thatof 4 4 of the'rigure `3; f 20 'Figure' 5 isa vertical section ofa cask' showing the application `of the lheat shielding devices;

Figure 6 is Aa sectional YView of a -barrel stave showing a bung'hole protector in place. `The 'Viet/'taken along the linesB- .of the 'Fig-ure y5; 25 u Figure? is a topfview of a `riinshield only. 'Ihe View being substantiallyv that of 1 -l1 of the Fig- Figure 8 isa-bottom viewfof a rim protector and fuel'retainer.. y'Theviewbeing substantiallythat 30 of-8-8 offthe Figure 5;

Figure' 9 is a planview -of a par-tof theinside surface of a barrel'illustrating a'preferredv type Aof char formations;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of .the Fig- 35 `ure'9;`and

. .associated with a supporting frame structure;

` The `first {elementof the device fto be described herein is the frame structure, which is made vup ofvarious .lengths and pieces of vertical metal bars and horizontal `'beams 2li and `2ll respectively. 50 Standard stock I beamsandconventional channel ironis ideally suited for this construction. lThe ba'seof the frame rests in alongitudinal concrete pit 22. 'The' pit"22 as VWellas the contiguousffloor surface 23 shouldbeare and Water proof. 55 l Thelower part of the frame structure, that is the vertical bars 28 and the beams 2| and especially those contained in the pity 22 form a platform-like structure for the conveyor or barrel retaining mechanism.

The conveyor consists of two pairs of evenly spaced uniform sprocket wheels 24 which engage an endless belt-like member. A pair of Wheels is mounted on each end of the'horizontal frame beams 2|, and each pair of wheelsis mounted on parallel `axles '25. Across .each set of the aligned wheels 24 and engaging the cogs thereon, are parallel endless drive chains 26. Certain spe-.-` cial links of the chain 26; for example, like those indicated by the character 21 of the drawings, are constructed so as to swivelly retain on them and between the chains 26 a'fiat ring 28. Other spe-o cial links slightly to the rearof the links 21 have leveling lugs or supports 29 attached to them.

In order to support the heavy chains 26 andto` preventthemwfrom sagging too much, the `top extensions of .the chains are,v supported by parallel tracks 30. j f s The open central portion of each ring 28 isv provided with a fiat reticulated grating or grille 3|; and extendinguupward for a distance of about three inches from the inneredge of the ring 29 there is a circular collar or ange 32. Each ring 2B is separately pivoted on two links 21 a little off its diameter; and rests, while moving forward, on a pair of supports 29 sothat each ring 28 is even and substantially level with the floor 23.

Directly abovewthe bottom conveyor in line and parallel therewith,mounted on the same frame but somewhat shorter and nearer to the forward end of the frame isa second conveyor like member. This second member likethe rstone de'- scribed has parallelaxles 25a mounted on the ends of the horizontal bars 28a. V'I'he axles 25a. have sprocket wheels 24a mounted thereon and similar endless chainsV 26a extend around the aligned wheels 24a. Some of the links 21a have pivotally mounted thereon fiat rings 280. with their attached flange collars 32a. The top rings 28a need notI have the vgrille members therein `nor* c do the topchains need to have the supporting lugsA 29 thereon as is `the case with the Vlower rings 28. The rings 28 and 23al arev directly over each other. Whenv closest `together they are separated a distance equal to the heighth of a whisky barrel 33; `The sprocket wheels k24and 24a. are linked together with asuitable drive shaft 3,4 and gears 35 and are both co-ordinated and synchronously driven by the-one Amotor 36. Y o

Over the uncovered or rear end of theA bottom conveyor is a fuel hopper 4|) which is lled-with a quantity of shavings and wood scraps 45 cut from the formed` barrel staves and heads. 'Ihe neck 4| of the hopper is provided with a quantity measuring and automatic dispensing device. The top brim of v,the barrel moving along on the bottom conveyor actuates a tensionedi arm 42 which arm in turn through the train of gear wheels 43 Y rotates the vanes 44. f Thevanes 44 intercept the flow of fuel through the neck 4|.` The adjustable. screw 39 mounted on the side of the hopper. restricts or enlarges the movement of the arm 42 thereby regulating the quantity of fuel passed bythe vanes 44 with each movement of the arm. The shavings -45 drop downward and; are Yscattered at the flared mouthv 46 by the horizontal louvers 41 before settling on thegrille 3| at the bottom ofthe barrel, so that auniformly loose mass offuelis Vin, all of, thebarrelsto be charred.

About four orA ve feet ahead of the hopper and between the parallel tracks 30, a gas jet 48 is installed and attached to the frame members in a manner whereby the ame of the jet 48 can ignite the fuel shavings which were dropped on the grille member 3| by the hopper 4D as the barrel 33 passed over it. The gas jet 48 has several burners and theloosely scattered shavings 45 catch fire in several places almost at once. The gas jet 48 is provided with a conventional valve and handle 49'so that it may be turned out when the apparatus is not in use.

. A little to the rear of the gas jet 48 is a row oi"l other jets or nozzles 50 through which air is vemitted into the barrel 33 ,through the grille 3| to assist in the proper combustion of the shavings 45. 'The nozzles 50 also have valves 5| for regulating the -quantityof air injected into the casks and they lare longitudinally placed so that air enters each cask constantly while itis being carried along on the, conveyor. The sources of the gas and air rare not shown in the diagrammatic drawings but :they canbe supplied by any of the many means long known to the art. Y

At the end of the row of nozzles 50 and a little above the bottom extension ofthe chains 26a and mounted onlthe horizontal frame member,` is a sprinkler or showerv head 52 through which water is sprayed on the inside of the cask 33, extinguishing the fire therein almost immediately and further ceasing the charring of the inside walls. 'Ihe shower head 52 is provided with a simple spring valve 58 which is actuated by the handle 59 upon its being swung by the forward movement of a ring 28a on the barrel 33 below it. The shower 52 like the fuel hopper 48 is only open when a cask is directly under it.

In order to` protect the bung hole 53 and to prevent the `stave surface adjacent to the hole from being scorched or charred ,in the process a'special shield'54 is used. This shield 54 consists of a circular disk slightly larger than the diameter of the bung hole itself. One side of the disk 55 is provided with a simple handle 56 and the other side is provided with two spring catches or clips 51, which when inserted in the bung hole 53 tensionandengage the sides thereof. In constructionthe clips 51 and the handle 56 may be made of a short pieceof bent wire each end of which projects throughy two holes in the disk 55.'` ,i

At'the rear end of the pit 22 there is a sewerlike drain'60 "which" has 'a funnel like neck 6| into which the burnt wood ashes 62 drop when the rings 28 are caused to tip upon reaching the rear 'sprocket'wheels'l A blower 63v isY associated with the drain 68 so that the waste material is carried offand automatically disposes of it a distance fromthe apparatus itselfv and in any convenient manner.

lThe vsprocket'wheels 24 are driven by a conventional motor 36, as is also the blower 63, but between `the motor36' and the sprocket wheels 24 there is inserted a variable speed transmission. orV some other speed control device. Speed-control devices ofmany kinds are old to thelartuand the element isherein indicated 'by the character 16, withoutshowing details of its structure.` rThe control device 10 however must be` equippedwith a lever, such as -indicated by the character 1| forfconveniently regulating and adjusting the speed of the conveyor. A.

The apparatus, to be `prepared for operation requires the, starting of the motor 36; the setting of the ,transmission handle 1 |v at an estimated egoismo or approximate speed neededl` Next fthe jet i3l is turned on,` ignitedand adjusted sozthat 4 its flame reahesand ignitestheruei 45- on the the .fuel 45.

ment'screw 35i is arbitrarily set. .to provide "for practically thev` entire distance.y

estimated quantity of'fuel.; None of the fore-k going steps need be taken iii-exactly the sequence setforth but may be made as convenientfunder the circumstances. v'After all these A,steps vhave been taken the conveyor chains .will 4be moving in the direction indicated by the arrows` in the drawings and the blower 63 will be'creating a suction in the drain 6D. il

To use the device, a cask member .33, is prepared for charring Lby insertingonfitswinside surface at the bung'hole'thefshield 5.4 whichwas.previouslydescribed. The cask member is manually placed von one of the moving vrings 2B so that the flange .32 extends upward von vthe inside .of the barrel and shields the'edge itin the manner heretofore mentioned. The y a means adjacentto the said frame for autoconveyor then carries 'the cask :to ya position under the first pair ofjsprocketwheels 24a where atop ringA 28a, and 4i'tsfattached downwardly .extending fiange .32a engages the top brim of "the cas-k member 33. The top flange 32a, like its4 Further movement vof ,thecasklmemberf 33 as it is Anow shieldedy brings' it over thegasjjet 48 where the fdame ignites thefuel 45. The burning cask is then carried on `the ,conveyor for a distance of about twelvefeetwith-the. row of air. nozzlesbl injecting air into the c ask member Continued movement of the".l conveyor brings the member under the waterv shower heady 52 where the fire in the cask is quickly extinguished andthetop ring 28, removed from the member. "The charred.` cask is next manually lifted from the bottom f days the fuel burns faster than on cool. humid days.

Therefore, the various adjustmentsl herein mentioned have been provided yto .compensate for the weather conditions as well asfor charring as desired. lIf a lightu'char is desired, the lcon-v veyor is speeded up' or the quantityof air admitted through thenozzles is decreased.` If too much of the fuel 45 remains unburnt .the hopper member may be adjusted to suit the needed requirements.. It has also been found that with.

. proper adjustment a Lcask member may be properly charred in aboutgoneiminute. vAftera few casi; members have been run through the' machine as a' test, it is a comparatively simple matter to make thenecessary adjustments to compensate for the varied atmosphericconditions so that all the subsequently treated barrelswill j,

have a uniform and highly satisfactory char. 1 It will now be clear that there is provided' by quenching the burningfuel.'` n 4;v A device of the class k.described comprisingv this invention agcharring device which accomplishesthe objectsof the invention. l. While the invention has been described in a-specic form yand while certain f general. termsA andA n specific language have' been used itis to bek understood thatthe embodiment ofthe invention as described is only suggestive and is not to` be. con' sidered .in a limiting. sensei' It isv to be `further understood that there are otherforms or adaptations of thisy invention which will suggest themselves to persons familiar with the art and Ithose modifications as .Well as Athe..modifications of the illustrated: form are all y'considered to Ibe within the broad scope of the invention` as ino limitations upon thisy invention" are intended other than vthose imposed thereonby the scope ofthe appended claims. l;' j. y. i

Iclai'm: m 1. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, 'asupporting frame, a cask con-v veyor' mounted on the frame, a"combustion device mounted on the frame for charring a cask carried by the conveyor, and a water sprinkling means f attached to the frame and activated by the conveyor for quickly extinguishing the combustion device. f

2. A device of the class described, comprising on the frame for moving cask members thereon,4

extinguisher vmounted on the frame for auto# matically quenching the burning fuel.- j 5,5. A device of the class described, comprising -in combination, a frame, a .conveyor supported l incombination, a frame, aeconveyor supported j on the frame for mo-vingcask members thereon,

`a means adjacent to thesaid frame for autofuel in L the Cask members, a shielding meansv engageable with ther caskfmembers for restricting.

the action of the burning fuel, and an extinguisher` mountedv on the frame for in combination, a frame,`v a conveyor supported on the frame for moving `cask members thereon, a fuel hopper. having means' for automaticallysupplying ameasured quantity of fuel to the moving- Cask members, al controllable combustion meansl for burning the fuel in the Cask members, and

automatically sol an automatic extinguisher mounted on the said fuel. y 5. A device ofthe class described, comprising frame for'subs'equently quenching thev burning the frame for moving cask members thereon, a

'fuel hopper having means for automatically supbersl for restricting the action of the burning fuel,

and an automatic extinguisher mounted on the saidv frame .for subsequently quenching the burnving fuel. j y

6. A ldevice of the class-described, comprising in combination, a frame havingmeans for supporting a cask member thereon', a fuel hopper as# sociated' with the frame, the said hopper having in combination, a frame, a conveyor supported on .l

means for automatically supplying avmeasured quantity of fuel to the'said Cask member, acontrollable combustion'means igniting and burning porting a cask member thereon, a fuel l'loiflper` associated with fther frame, the saidr hopper hav-` ing means for automaticallysupplying a measured quantity of fuel tothe said cask member, an ignition device mountedron the frame causing the said fuel to burn, and shield members engageable with the `said cask member restricting the action of the burning fuel.

8. In a charring device, a cask member support, comprising in combination, a frame structure, a first endless conveyor mounted on the bottom of the frame structure, a second endless conveyor mounted onthe top of the frame structure, pairs of" co-acting shield members connected to the said conveyors simultaneously engaging the top and bottom ends of a cask memb-er, and a common drive means for synchronously moving both of the said conveyors.

`9. In a charringdevice, a cask member support, comprising in combination, a frame structure, a

controllable bottom conveyor mounted on the` frame structure, aviirst set of flanged rings swivelly connected to the bottom conveyor the first set of-iianged rings *having means for retaining `a fuel therein, a synchronized top conveyor mount- `ing grilles therein, a top conveyor -mounted on the frame structure, asecond set of flanged rings connected to the top conveyor, and a means for -ooordinating and regulatingthe movements of the said rings.-

11. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting frame having a means for temporarily retaining a cask member thereon, a'rcharring` device mounted on the said frame, the said charring device eiecting the in- Vside of the'cask member at a predetermined time,

and a Water sprinkling apparatus mounted on the said frame, the said `apparatus affecting the inside ofthe cask memberat a predetermined time.

12. A device of the class described in claim 11 characterized by having shield members engageable with the jcask member for restricting the ac-y tion` of `the charring device.

i, 13. lA device of the-class described, comprising in combinatiom a supportingframe,a conveyor mechanism mounted on the frame and temporarily retaining cask members thereon, a charring device mounted on the saidy framel and effecting the inside of the cask members, a water sprinkling apparatus mounted on the ysaidframe and eifecting the inside of the cask members, and a means for moving the said conveyor in a manner whereby the cask4 members are aected by the charring device and the sprinkling apparatus at predetermined times.

14. .A device of the class described in claim 13 characterized by the conveyor mechanism having shield members engageable with the cask members for restricting the action ofthe charring devlce.

l5. In a `charririgdevice, a casi; member support, comprising in combination, alframe structure, a pair 'of synchronized endless .conveyors mounted on vtheframe structure, andpairs of co-actingjshield membersl hingedly connected to the said conveyors in a manner whereby cask members maybe retained and carried therebetween. 1

16. In acharring device, a ca'sk member support, comprising in combination, a frame structure, synchronized endless conveyors mounted on the frame structure, pairs of co-acting cask rim heat shield members connected to the said conveyors retaining and carrying cask members therebetween, and a means for controlling the speed of the said conveyors whereby the said cask members'are retained for a definite period of time. v

- BEN KLAUSNER. 

